Bijnot Fort
Bijnot Fort (Urdu: قلعہ بجنوٹ), is a ruined fortress located in Bahawalpur District of Punjab, Pakistan, 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of Indo-Pakistani border in Cholistan Desert.[2][3]
| Bijnot Fort | |
|---|---|
قلعہ بجنوٹ | |
| Alternative names | Winjhrot[1] |
| General information | |
| Location | Bahawalpur District, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 28°5′22″N 71°40′55″E |
History
Constructed in the 8th century, Bijnot Fort now stands in ruins, primarily due to targeted artillery shelling during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, rather than natural deterioration.[4]
It was under the occupation of Rajputs until 18th century.[5]
Outlaws connection
The fort's narrative isn't its historical significance, but the infamous outlaws who frequented it.[4] Madho Singh, a Rathore clansman from Bikaner, became a fugitive after retaliating violently against a neighbor's insult towards his father.[4] Escaping to Jaisalmer, he joined a gang of minor criminals, swiftly rising to leadership due to his imposing stature and Rajput dignity.[4] The gang's criminal activities escalated, leading to a significant heist and subsequent relocation to Pakistan in 1948, near Fort Abbas.[4]
The gang's cross-border criminal activities led to a confrontation with Rajasthan Police, resulting in the death of Madho's deputy, Krishen Singh.[4] His ashes, according to local lore, were sent to the Ganga River.[4]
After the incident, Madho Singh secured an audience with the Nawab of Bahawalpur, gifting him a richly decorated camel.[4] Consequently, Madho Singh and his remaining gang were permitted to settle in Dera Nawab, the Nawab's seat of power.[4]
Traditionally, Poorbia Rajputs served as the Nawab's harem guards.[4] After Bahawalpur's incorporation into Pakistan, these guards returned to India, leading to Madho Singh and his gang assuming this duty.[4] However, they soon relocated to the desert, resuming cross-border operations and escalating their criminal activities.[4]
By 1963, Madho Singh was allegedly involved in 135 cases in India.[4] In an act of revenge for a fallen comrade, Madho kidnapped Bhoor Singh.[4] Despite pursuit, they avoided capture.[4] Eventually, Madho executed Bhoor Singh, leading to his own capture and subsequent 14-year custody without trial or conviction.[4]
In 1978, Madho and his gang were released, thanks to human rights lawyer Abid Minto, and granted Pakistani citizenship.[4] Seeking peace, Madho rejected offers of protection tied to criminality, opting for lawful living under the shelter of Lal Mian Abbasi.[4] He died in 1983, ensuring his remaining gang pledged law-abiding loyalty to the Abbasi family.[4] This pledge was upheld until the last accomplice, Moolji, died in 1999.[4]
References
- Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Imperial Gazetteer of India -- Digital South Asia Library (Volume 8 ed.). p. 202. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- "قلعہ بجنوٹ جسے شہاب الدّین غوری نے مسمار کروا دیا تھا". ARYNews.tv. December 8, 2022.
- "چولستان میں صدیوں پرانے تاریخی قلعے". jang.com.pk.
- "Of Tunno and his Bijnot".
